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| Long Sleek Lines Of The Well Loved Tactile. |
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| Bits And Bobs To Tuck Into |
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| This Could Be Aotearoa! |
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| The Perfect Simple Menu, Simply Set Out. |
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| The Reason We All Come And Keep It A Secret. The Food. |
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| Game, Set and Match! Move over Belgo. |
#23 A Duck and a Flea
Full Circle
Thank you so much for following my blog. On the 18 June, I will be celebrating completing 1 year of blogging, with an unknown meal with my side kick at an unknown favourite haunt.
I find it amazing without a single attempt to advertise this blog - other than word of mouth between family and friends, it has generated an audience spanning 15 countries, with 1319 hits.
This does make me think a bit more about the content and wondering who is reading my drivel. Above all else, this is fun, unpressured and importantly a not for profit occupation to record thoughts and memories. Documenting the places and companions who shared the pleasure of discovering a favourite place to eat a meal.
A lucky sibling will soon be going to noodle heaven in Malaysia. This kind of intrepid exploring across continents, in search of the perfect breakfast bowl of noodles inspires me to keep this blog going.
Yesterday the blogger found himself passing through New Zealand House in Haymarket to view the incredible Te Pouihi carved by the equally incredible Inia te Wiata. Not only was Inia a incredible Opera singer he was also an incredible wood carver.
Pop your audio sound on and have a cup of tea, watching this amazing video:
I then passed by the Chinese Embassy on Portland Place and having watched the dedicated sitter for over 12 years, decided to take a closer look and understand the reason for this silent protest.
This led me to Falun Gong and to learn of the terrible social injustice in China forced upon a peaceful movement that had no other aim but to improve health, vitality and inner peace for all.
Pondering all of this, and the other economic woes in the world, such as the financial meltdown in Europe and the worrying lack of Bees and Butterflies in our natural landscape, I found myself passing the same piece of nature in London's inner sanctum, which had started me off on this blog trail, exactly 12 months ago.
The Garden Cafe in Regents Park's inner circle remains a favourite destination, though I fear the Olympic hoards might flood heavy footed over its quiet, dignified, elegant oasis.
The menu is so simple, perfect for summer with fresh ingredients and so impressively priced at only £14.75 for 2 courses. And this is central London folks and nestled into a beautiful open park, it is a wonder there aren't queues winding all the way back to Stratford. Of course the beauty of its quiet remote destination is London's quick fill city brigade couldn't be bothered trekking there.
I ordered as a starter, Smoked Chicken Aioli & Gem Lettuce salad and it was a gem of a dish. For the main course a lovely bowl of Moules Marinieres with a side accompaniment of quite honestly the most delicious chips I think I have ever tasted. Their brown skins still snug on their backs for an earthy, healthier guise.
For refreshment I was given a very large jug of free tap water with a slice of lemon. Bingo.
I do love this place and sitting inside and away from the throngs seated outside (well 20 people), with a lovely view through large glass panes of 'toi toi' swaying in the distance, bosomed by large London Plane trees, it gave a distinct feeling of being in Aotearoa. A country well versed in the luxury of dining close to nature.
Perhaps on this occasion the team 'waiting on' were a tad slow on the attention to service, though I was so relaxed I didn't care and the chefs skilfully balanced this baton exchange by being faster than Usain Bolt.
So Full Circle it is, as I circumnavigate this edible journey and long may it continue.
